Mrs Sommersby is a widowed society matchmaker and when she meets self-made businessman Mr William Lane he thinks he would be perfect for her neighbour's overlooked daughter. Only he's more attracted to her and worms his way into her heart, but can they get over some of their issues to find a happy ever after?

Of course they do but the trip was fun. ( )

This book was SO REFRESHING in all the right ways!

Author Laurie Benson gives us a story filled with humor, wit, temptation, and potentially scandalous near misses that warms the heart, quickens the pulse, and brings a smile to your face. The leading lady is 30 , and her potential suitor is junior to her senior (though not in a distance of decades or anything), but as anyone can see, they are a PERFECT MATCH! Funny how love can find you when you weren't even looking...and for these two, watching their "dance" (both literally and figuratively) was a wonderful way to wile away my evenings.

Clara was strong and formidable but in a genteel way that allowed those in her circle to see exactly what she wanted them to see...and not the shrewd, intelligent businesswoman underneath because goodness, a woman owning a business that isn't sewing, ribbons, or something else considered lady's work...absurd! I adored seeing her strengths as well as her weaknesses...which apparently include her nieces, her friends, her adorable dog, and a particular man that cuts a fine figure both clothing wise and monetarily. Speaking of the man, William Lane does indeed have his issues...but none of them are in relation to the age difference between him and our gal Clara, nor her desire to remain financially secure, nor her impetuous little dog, but rather his own hazy past, his desire to be seen as successful (almost) at all costs, and his ability to swallow his pride and make the first move. Nothing insurmountable, if they don't want them to be...

All in all, it was a wonderful story with little surprises here and there to keep you on your toes as you navigate the varying paths of the heart within. A must read for Historical Romance fans...


*ebook received for review; opinions are my own ( )

“Mrs. Sommersby’s Second Chance” by Laurie Benson is the story of a widow who unexpectedly gets a second chance at love. As the owner of a hotel, Clara has built a comfortable life for herself in Bath. When she meets an appealing gentleman named Lane, her ideas about second chances at love change. However, Lane has secrets of his own. As the two characters discover an affection for each other, they also confront their own demons from the past. Then Lane and Clara must decide whether to join forces as business partners and as lovers.

I really liked the characters in this book, and the plot moved along at a pace that kept the reader’s attention. I appreciated the historical details of the time period and the author notes at the end. The two main characters are both mature adults, well past the age of simpering misses and first seasons of entry into society. This idea sets the book apart from many other historical romance stories, and may appeal to those who enjoy reading about older people who have some polish and maturity of thought. However, readers should be warned that the book contains detailed scenarios that describe the sizzling relationship between Clara and Lane. I think these details underscore the passion the main characters develop for each other and increase the aura of sexual tension, but are not necessary to the plot development. In some ways, these scenes seem to detract from the story. The same ideas could have been portrayed without the sexual details.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. ( )

Good book that is a bit different than the usual Regency romance. We have two people that are older, Clara, who is 45, and Lane, who is 37. Neither of them are in the upper echelons of society, though both have friends who are. It also takes place in Bath instead of London, which was a nice change of pace. Bath is frequently mentioned, but I rarely get a good feel for the area in those books. Here most of the action takes place away from the Pump Room setting.

I liked both Clara and Lane. Clara is a widow who has a bit of a reputation as a matchmaker. She is also independent, personable, and an astute businesswoman. Because of the financial problems encountered during her marriage, she is determined never to give another man that kind of power over her livelihood again. Due to the stigma against women in business and the need to maintain appearances, Clara's ownership of her hotel is secret. She has employed a male cousin to manage it for her, but she retains control over it.

William Lane, who prefers to be called Lane, is a self-made man. Raised in a London Foundling Hospital, he was determined from an early age to make something of himself. He is reasonably wealthy, with investments in many businesses. He is in Bath to start another one. Having discovered a hot spring under the coffeehouse he just purchased, he wants to expand from a coffeehouse into a spa featuring the waters from that spring. To do so, he needs to buy the hotel next door.

I loved the meeting between Clara and Lane. He is at the Pump Room investigating the waters as research when Clara teases him about the intensity of his gaze. He is immediately intrigued by her, with his thoughts being on the somewhat racy side. Clara is intrigued by him also but recognizes that she is older than he and instead plots to match him with the daughter of a neighbor. William is far more interested in Clara and is determined to pursue her for himself. He is helped along the way by Clara's little dog Humphrey, her friend the Dowager Duchess, and even the girl that Clara tried to match him with. Clara fights her attraction and growing feelings for Lane, feeling that her age makes her unsuitable for a man who is young enough to want children.

Both Lane and Clara have insecurities that make it difficult for them to see any permanence to a relationship between them. Clara has her age and her reluctance to trust any man to respect her need for independence. Lane's background has him believing that he isn't good enough for her and feeling that is reinforced when he has to deal with aristocrats who look down on him. There was a heartbreaking scene at a dinner one night that made me tear up for Lane's hurt. I loved Clara's reaction and what it meant to him.

Clara and Lane's relationship goes along quite nicely as they grow closer. I liked that they could share their pasts without fear of judgment. There was a good amount of respect between them, and I loved that their maturity made it possible for them to talk through any problems that came up. But there was one issue that was left hanging until near the end, and that was the attempt to purchase the hotel. Clara's secret was so well kept that it took most of the book for it to come out. When it did, there was shock and dismay on both sides. It was interesting to see how it all played out, with doubts, fears, and emotions all tangled up. There were times I wanted to shake Clara because of how she would push him away. The ending was fantastic. I loved the extraordinary thing that she did for him and how it brought him back to her side. It warmed my heart to see him finally break through her fears.

The secondary characters were great. Humphrey, the dog, was adorable, not too sweet with just the right of puppy mischief in his actions. I liked how the Dowager Duchess encouraged Clara, along with that hint of matchmaker competitiveness. Clara's nieces made me laugh when her hotel ownership came out, and their support of her no longer hiding it. I also liked Juliet's efforts to make Clara see that there was nothing wrong with loving Lane. I liked Lane's friend and partner, Hart, especially the way he would give Lane a hard time about his people skills. ( )